Park official admits to shooting hospital director

The park official of Salak Phra wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province who was detained by police for shooting to death the director of a local hospital has admitted to police interrogators that he killed the director after he suspected that the latter had an affair with his wife.

Chalit was shot dead in his car on Mae Lamoon-Mae Plasoi road in Si Sawat district Monday night. Songvuth initially claimed he fired shots at Mr Chalit with his service HK assault rifle because he mistook the victim as an illegal logger.

According to Pol Lt-Col Pornchai, Songvuth told police interrogators that he suspected Chalit and his wife of having an affair as both were working in the same hospital.

The park official said he had quietly watched the conduct of the director and his wife for some time before he decided to shoot the victim.

Songvuth was charged with pre-mediated murder and illegal possession of firearms, said Pol Lt-Col Pornchai, adding that more witnesses would be summoned for questioning.